Road Safety Boost for Two Bray Park Schools

08/10/2013

The State Government is ramping up its commitment to improving road safety around two Pine Rivers schools.

As school returns for the final term of 2013, Member for Pine Rivers, Mr Seath Holswich, has announced today that Bray Park State School and Holy Spirit Primary School Bray Park will be receiving flashing school zone signs on the approaches to the schools.

"These signs will act as an extra reminder for parents and other motorists to slow down in and around the school zones while young students make their way to and from school," Mr Holswich said.

"Motorists need to remember children are unpredictable when crossing streets and by slowing down you are diffusing a potentially dangerous situation."

This announcement comes after a petition of around 550 signatures was tabled in State Parliament last month, calling for the installation of the flashing signs.

"The Bray Park community and the school communities have led the charge for this additional road safety measure, and I commend them for their commitment to road safety."

Inspector Glenn Morris of Pine Rivers Police Patrol Group reinforced the message that road safety is the responsibility of every individual.

Road safety is a matter for all of us and not just police," Inspector Morris said. "We need all motorists to join with us as partners in road safety awareness and to recognise the potential dangers existing in and around our school zones".

"By slowing down and adhering to the speed limits displayed in school zones, together we can work in partnership to stop potentially dangerous situations occurring".

The Newman Government has committed $10 million over four years to install flashing school light at over 300 school zones. An installation date for the signs is yet to be finalized, but the signs will be installed before the end of Semester One 2014.

Background

In 2012, there were 24,842 fines issued in school zones - an increase of 44 per cent from 2011. Of the fines issued, between January and December 2012, a concerning 317 were motorists travelling at more than 30km/h above the speed limit, with 43 drivers travelling more than 40km/h above the speed limit.